The collective role of the Court of Governors is to hold ultimate control of and responsibility for the management of the Foundation, including: ensuring the Foundation acts in accordance with the Foundation’s Articles; educating, safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of pupils; ensuring compliance with the inspection regime; and managing the Foundation’s activities and its assets in furtherance of its charitable objects in the context of its dual regulation by the Charity Commission and Companies House.

Collectively with other members of the Court of Governors, a Governor has the following responsibilities:

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

The Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff, Governors and volunteers to share in this commitment.

Strategic Responsibility:

set a clear vision, ethos and strategic plan for the Foundation that is ambitious but realistic

ensure that the necessary structures are in place to deliver the vision as part of the strategic management of the Foundation, looking outward, scanning the environment and adapting to change and ensuring these are communicated effectively to staff

ensure the Chief Executive Officers’ (CEO) annual and longer-term objectives and targets support the Foundation’s vision, mission and strategic priorities

consider the views of parents and other key stakeholders on the performance of the Foundation

regularly review the Foundation’s strategic plan and priorities

Performance Responsibility:

hold the Executives to account by monitoring the Foundation’s performance

ensure that the fundamental values and guiding principles of the Foundation are articulated, reflected and understood throughout the Foundation

ensure the educational performance of the Foundation and its pupils

ensure that all children, including those with special educational needs, have access to a broad and balanced curriculum

agree the overall annual income forecast and expenditure budget for the Foundation

agree the method for measuring objectively the progress of the Foundation in relation to its vision, ethos, strategic plan, business plans and annual targets, and to receive regular (and in most instances termly) reports on the performance of the Foundation

receive regular (and in most instances termly) reports from the CEO, Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) and Heads on progress towards agreed strategic priorities and hold the Head to account for the management and administration of the Foundation

ask challenging questions of the Executives

ensure that, as with all staff, the Executive receives regular, constructive feedback on their performance in managing the Foundation and in meeting their annual and longer-term targets and objectives

ensure that the responsibilities delegated to the Executives are clearly expressed and understood in their job description and in line with the Scheme of Delegation

ensure that there are mechanisms for pupils, parents, staff, volunteers, wider stakeholders and other individuals, groups or organisations to bring to the attention of the Governors any activity that threatens the probity of the Foundation (see Complaints Policy)

Compliance Responsibility:

be aware of, and ensure that the Foundation and its representatives comply with all legal, regulatory and statutory requirements, and supporting guidance (e.g. Independent Schools’ Standards Regulations) and that the Foundation submits all associated mandatory returns and reports

comply with the Foundation’s duties in relation the safeguarding of Foundation pupils and the wider Foundation community

report serious incidents to the Charity Commission

maintain familiarity with the Foundation’s Articles, ensuring that the Foundation complies with the Foundation’s Articles and review the Foundation’s Articles regularly to ensure it is fit for purpose

in accordance with the Foundation’s Scheme of Delegation, agree the appropriate levels of delegated authority, ensure that these are recorded in writing by means of minutes, terms of reference for committees of the Court, job descriptions etc. and ensure that clear written reporting procedures are established and complied with

follow the Foundation’s Code of Conduct

Responsibility to Safeguard the Assets

act as guardians of the Foundation’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application and internal controls

protect and manage the buildings and other property of the Foundation

ensure the organisation has a clear budget and cash flow forecast for at least the next three years to ensure the Foundation remains a going concern

establish a risk policy which identifies and manages risks and ensuring that any major risks to the Foundation are reviewed annually and that systems have been established to mitigate or minimise these risks

ensure the Foundation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects, allocating them in line with the strategic priorities

ensure that the Foundation has a sound financial strategy, gets good value for money and have robust procurement and financial systems

exercise effective overall control of the Foundation’s financial affairs, ensuring that the systems of control are rigorous and constantly maintained through regular evaluation and improvement in the light of experience

be accountable for the solvency and continuing effectiveness of the Foundation and the management of any endowments in perpetuity

ensure the proper investment of the Foundation’s funds within the constraints of the law and any ethical and other investment policies laid down by the Court

act reasonably, prudently and collectively in all matters relating to the Foundation and always to act in the best interests of the Foundation

ensure that the Foundation’s good name, reputation, ethos and other intangible assets are properly valued, utilised and safeguarded

Governance Responsibility

ensure that the Foundation’s governance is of the highest possible standard

ensure that the Foundation has an appropriate governance structure in place

ensure that the Court has the skills required to govern the Foundation well, and has access to relevant external professional advice and expertise, and participate in individual and collective development and training of Governors

ensure that there is a systematic, open and fair procedure for the recruitment of Governors

reflect periodically, as appropriate, on the Court’s performance and individual Governors’ performance

establish, review, amend and approve such key Court and organisational policies as may from time to time be required

General Duties

ensure the Foundation complies with legislative and regulatory requirements, and acts within the confines of its governing document

act in the best interest of the Foundation, beneficiaries and future beneficiaries at all times, pursuing only the delivery of the charitable objects

promote and develop the Foundation in order for it to grow and maintain its relevance in society

maintain sound financial management of the Foundation’s resources, ensuring expenditure is in line with its objectives, and investment activities meet accepted standard and policies

assist in the interview, appointment and oversight of the work and activities of the Executives, providing support and challenge as appropriate

ensure the effective and efficient administration of the Foundation and its resources, striving for best practice in good governance

maintain absolute confidentiality about all sensitive/confidential information received in the course of governors’ responsibilities to the Foundation and ensuring compliance with the conflict of interest policy

know and support the aims of the Foundation and its mission statement and oversee their achievement

know the overall tasks of the Court and ensure that these are fully carried out

contribute expertise to the discussions of the Court and, if possible, at least one committee

respect the confidentiality of the Court and all information about the Foundation’s Executives, parents and pupils

Qualifications, Experience and Specific Duties (Estate)

demonstrable understanding and experience of through life building management, including planning, property development and management, and financial and contractual aspects associated with major building projects

knowledge of and the ability to advise on legislation as it applies to the building sector, including national planning policy framework and local issues (green belt and conservation)

monitor and guide the compilation and review of the Foundation’s Estate Strategy and in due course Buildings Master Plan

ensure the Foundation secures best value for money in balancing operational spend on repairs and maintenance and longer term capital investment

Chair of the Estate Committee and Member of the Finance Committee and Pastoral Committee

Commitment Expected from a Governor

Governors are volunteers for their roles and are not remunerated other than for reasonable travelling expenses in support of Court business and Court and Committee meetings.

Governors are appointed for a tenure of three years, renewable up to four times at the end of each term of three years to a maximum of 12 years in office.

The Foundation currently has four full Court meetings per year (Saturday) and each committee has a meeting every half term. There are more committee meetings than full governors’ meetings as most of the business of governance is conducted through the committee structure. The expectation is that Governors will attend all Court meetings, a Strategy Day (also held on a Saturday) as well as meetings of the Committees for which they are a member. In addition, Governors are expected to attend Governor training and other relevant training as well as visit the Foundation schools on a regular basis.

The degree of commitment required of a Governor to achieve the job description is to:

Attend Court meetings

Attend relevant Committee meetings

Be prepared to lead, with prior agreement, on aspects of the Court’s work for which you have delegated responsibility e.g. chairing a committee, being the link for an area of work such as safeguarding

Be prepared to put in enough time to visit the Foundation periodically during working hours and to study relevant background and papers

Attend training courses

Attend events where possible and in particular those associated with particular areas of responsibility

Attend a minimum of two monitoring or daytime Foundation visits each academic year (except where agreed with the Chair)

It is anticipated Governors might spend approximately 10 to 15 days a year carrying out their duties. The Chair, Vice Chair and Chairs of committees are likely to spend between 15 and 25 days each year, although much will depend on the level of responsibility.

Recruitment Process

Expressions of interest in the form of a covering letter and curriculum vitae should be sent to Rachael Titley, HR Manager by email via the button below. The closing date for applications is noon, Tuesday 27th August 2019.

Governor’s nominations will be received by the Nominations and Governance Committee following interviews with the Chair and other selected Governors. We intend to hold interviews during the week commencing 9th September 2019. Qualifications and suitability will be checked as part of the process with references taken up by the Chair. Applicants will undergo normal safeguarding checks for work in schools, including checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service and Prohibition from Management Checks. Induction training will be arranged by the Clerk following successful nomination to the Court.

The Mill Hill School Foundation Trust

The Mill Hill School Foundation is over 200 years old. Situated in 150 acres of magnificent parkland in North London, The Mill Hill School Foundation is a successful and financially stable family of four leading co-educational schools providing an outstanding educational experience for pupils aged 3-18. Mill Hill School, the Senior School, is one of London's leading co-educational day and boarding schools; Grimsdell Mill Hill Pre-Preparatory School is a day school for pupils aged 3 to 7; Belmont Mill Hill Preparatory School is a day school for pupils aged 7 to 13 and The Mount, Mill Hill International is a co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 13 to 17 from predominantly non-English speaking backgrounds which opened in September 2015. There are currently approximately 1,500 pupils attending the schools of the Foundation.

Each school is led by its own Head who has responsibility for the admission of pupils and for the quality of teaching and learning. The Foundation is led by a Chief Executive who is responsible to the Court for the good management of the Foundation Schools and for providing clear direction to the Foundation as a group of schools.

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